Question 1

What real-life Caltech student prank inspired a key plot element in Real Genius?

Accepted Answer

Lazlo Hollyfeld's Frito-Lay contest entries mirror a 1974 Caltech student strategy to win a McDonald's sweepstakes with 1/5th of total entries, winning a station wagon and cash.

Question 2

How did cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond solve the problem of making the laser beam visible on camera?

Accepted Answer

Zsigmond had to bounce the beam and fill the lab set with smoke to scatter light and give the laser definition, since it was nearly invisible to cameras when moving away.

Question 3

Were the 'liquid nitrogen' coins in the vending machine scene actually a production error?

Accepted Answer

No, it wasn't an error. The script specified liquid nitrogen containing super-cooled CO2 (dry ice), which Chris uses in the vending machine.

Question 4

What personal family connection appears in Mitch and Chris' dorm room decorations?

Accepted Answer

Some pictures on their dorm wall were drawings made by Val Kilmer's brother Wesley, as revealed in the documentary Val (2021).

Question 5

What is the central conflict that drives the plot of Real Genius?

Accepted Answer

Teenage geniuses Mitch Taylor and Chris Knight work on an advanced laser project, but when they learn the military wants to weaponize it, they decide to thwart the plan.

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Real Genius

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